Galatians 2:20 “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” Union with Christ “I have been crucified with Christ…” – This expresses a mystical but real identification with Jesus in His death. – The believer’s old self—bound by sin and the law—has died with Christ. – It echoes Romans 6:6, where Paul says our “old self was crucified with Him.” New Identity and Life “…and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.” – The Christian life is not self-powered but Christ-powered. – This speaks to a new identity: not just improved behavior, but a transformed being. – It’s a radical shift from self-reliance to Christ-dependence. Faith as the Operating Principle “The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God…” – Faith isn’t just how we begin the Christian life—it’s how we continue it. – This faith is active trust in Jesus, not mere intellectual assent. – It’s a daily surrender to His presence and guidance. Personal Love and Sacrifice “…who loved me and gave Himself for me.” – Paul makes it deeply personal: Christ didn’t just die for “the world,” but for me. – This underscores the intimate, sacrificial love of Jesus. – It’s the foundation of Christian assurance and motivation. Transformation, Not Modification – This verse isn’t about self-help or moral improvement. – It’s about death and resurrection—a total reorientation of life. – The Christian doesn’t just follow Christ’s example; Christ lives in them.
Deuteronomy 11:26–28 Today I’m giving you the choice of a blessing or a curse. You’ll be blessed if you obey the commands of the LORD your God that I’m giving you today. You’ll be cursed if you disobey the commands of the LORD your God, if you turn from the way I’m commanding you to live today, and if you worship other gods you never knew. REMEMBER, Your future hinges on your choices. Obedience to God’s commandments will bring blessing—prosperity, peace, and divine favor. Disobedience, especially idolatry, will bring curse—loss, hardship, and separation from God.
ALLOW THIS WORD FROM GOD TO BE GUIDE UNTO YOUR LIFE.
(WE ARE NOW BEGINNING A STUDY IN THE BOOK OF GALATIANS) THE BOOK OF GALATIANS INTRODUCTION This is probably the very first of Paul’s letters that have survived to become part of the New Testament. It may have been written as early as AD 48. Paul first stayed in Galatia because he was ill (4:13–15). The people were very kind to him, and received the gospel willingly. But now they have been visited by Jewish teachers with a different message. These teachers distort the gospel by insisting that Gentile Christians must be circumcised and keep the Jewish law. Paul quickly sees the danger. If this teaching catches on, it will destroy the gospel. The Jews are adding an extra requirement to simple faith in Christ. They want the Galatians to show their Christian difference in the same ways that Jews have shown their Jewish difference—by circumcision, sabbath-keeping and food laws. Paul argues that faith in Jesus and his death on the cross is all that is needed for salvation. It was faith, not circumcision, which put Abraham right with God. Being circumcised, keeping the sabbath and eating Jewish food can’t possibly add to what Jesus has already done! Paul says that we are saved from sin and death and judgment by God’s grace. Abraham was the first person to trust God’s promises—promises which the whole human race is invited to share. Those who have the same faith as Abraham are his true descendants. Race, sex and status don’t matter. God doesn’t see Jews and Gentiles, men and women, slaves and those who are free. He sees faith. He sees those who belong to Jesus. He sees his children.
WE HOPE YOU FOUND THIS INTRODUCTION TO THE BOOK OF GALATIANS TO BE INTERESTING. WE INVITE YOU TO STAY WITH US AS WE BEGIN OUR STUDY OF GALATIANS. ARE YOU INTERESTED?
Human beings are created accountable to God for their actions.
Matthew 12:36 “I can guarantee that on judgment day people will have to give an account of every careless word they say. Ezekiel 18:20 The person who sins will die. A son will not be punished for his father’s sins, and a father will not be punished for his son’s sins. The righteousness of the righteous person will be his own, and the wickedness of the wicked person will be his own. Romans 14:12 “So then, each of us will give an account of ourselves to God.” Ecclesiastes 12:14 “For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.”
TOO MANY PEOPLE ARE TAKING TOO MUCH TIME CHECKING HOW SOMEONE ELSE IS LIVING WHEN THEY NEED TO BE CHECKING HOW THEY ARE LIVE THEIR OWN LIFE. REMEMBER YOU ARE GOING TO BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR YOUR LIFE, NOT SOMEONE ELSE’S LIFE. THINK ABOUT IT.
Scripture is rich with reminders that God is a present and loving helper to His children. Here are a few powerful verses that speak to His care and support: Isaiah 41:10 “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Psalm 46:1 “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” Romans 8:28 “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” Deuteronomy 31:6 “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” Matthew 7:11 “If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!” Each of these verses paints a picture of a God who is not distant or indifferent, but deeply involved in the lives of His children—guiding, strengthening, and providing.
LET US NOT FORGET THAT OUR GOD LOVES US, OUR GOD IS WITH US, AND OUR GOD TAKES CARE OF US.
Proverbs 18:15 The mind of a person who has understanding acquires knowledge. The ears of wise people seek knowledge. Proverbs 14:15 A gullible person believes anything, but a sensible person watches his step. Proverbs 14:8 The wisdom of a sensible person guides his way of life, but the stupidity of fools misleads them. Proverbs 22:3 Sensible people foresee trouble and hide ⸤from it⸥, but gullible people go ahead and suffer ⸤the consequence⸥.
1 John 3:23–24 This is his commandment: to believe in his Son, the one named Jesus Christ, and to love each other as he commanded us. Those who obey Christ’s commandments live in God, and God lives in them. We know that he lives in us because he has given us the Spirit. 1 John 2:6 Those who say that they live in him must live the same way he lived. John 15:5–6 “I am the vine. You are the branches. Those who live in me while I live in them will produce a lot of fruit. But you can’t produce anything without me. Whoever doesn’t live in me is thrown away like a branch and dries up. Branches like this are gathered, thrown into a fire, and burned. John 15:7–8 If you live in me and what I say lives in you, then ask for anything you want, and it will be yours. You give glory to my Father when you produce a lot of fruit and therefore show that you are my disciples.
ALLOW THIS WORD OF GOD TO BE A GUIDE UNTO YOUR LIFE.
FOOD FOR THOUGHT Romans 6:23 The payment for sin is death, but the gift that God freely gives is everlasting life found in Christ Jesus our Lord. Matthew 16:27 The Son of Man will come with his angels in his Father’s glory. Then he will pay back each person based on what that person has done. Revelation 22:12 “I’m coming soon! I will bring my reward with me to pay all people based on what they have done. Galatians 6:7-8 You cannot fool God, so don’t make a fool of yourself! You will harvest what you plant. If you follow your selfish desires, you will harvest destruction, but if you follow the Spirit, you will harvest eternal life. ALLOW THESE VERSES TO BE A GUIDE UNTO YOUR LIFE. Everlastingsalvationchurchofgod.com PASTOR ANDRA HIGGINBOTHAM
Union with Christ
New Identity and Life
Faith as the Operating Principle
Personal Love and Sacrifice
Transformation, Not Modification
